Hi folks,

 

 Thanks so much for continuing to lift me up and for the e-mails (and Christmas cards – they were a pleasant surprise). I was able to go to Israel for Christmas week and had a good time visiting with A. It was great to see someone I “know”. We were able to visit Jerusalem, Joppa, Caesarea, and were in Bethlehem on Christmas Eve. The trip was truly a blessing.   It is finally a bit cooler here, which is really nice for me, but the locals are not happy. It is only a temporary reprieve before we return to the normal temperatures and then begin “summer”.   The group that is working on their English skills is doing very well. The M’s who are with the Bambara team are pleased with the progress the folks have made. One of the group (M..)just spent a week in a village helping a US team with translation. It was her 1^st time as a translator and her 1^st trip to a village (which is quite different than the city of Bamako). She loved her time out and received a very good evaluation from the team she worked with. They all are now using the Word in 2 languages each “class” and are doing well translating from and to each language.. They are excited about all the “stories” they are learning.  One of the regional leaders was here for a visit at the beginning of the year. He took time to go with me to visit the “settlement” folks, who are Fulani. He speaks their language, Fulfulde (sp?) and spent time with the adults and children and was able to talk with the eldest man for several minutes. They were very excited and pleased with his visit. The children were able to remember part of the song they learned when we made the pre-Christmas visit. I did not know that day that it would be one of my last visits with them. I had to move to a new house (which is quite a distance away) a few days later. There is now some dialog about what my next step may be. As of now, I know very little except that things are going to change.

 

The great opportunities HE gives us each day – wherever we are.

People who “take the time” to do things they will get no credit for.

The hunger HE gives people for the Word, that increases as they read.

The changes HE makes in us so we will be useful to HIM.

 

The “settlement” folks – that someone will come along to tell them more.

The translators who are working on their English and working with the US teams.

Clarity about the next steps and the trust in HIM for the transitions.

The women at Bethel church: their continued growth & courage to “press on” (we have been doing a study on the 3^rd Person and they have “payed for it” with much trouble).

 

THANKS SO MUCH!

 

Blessings,

 

Donna

 

Psalm 27: 1

The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid?